Few contested races as deadline nears for Iowa’s June 5 primary

DES MOINES - Few primaries are shaping up in Eastern Iowa as the deadline for candidates getting on the June 5 primary election ballot approaches.

Two Republicans are squaring off in Iowa's U.S. House 1st District to be the party's challenger to three-term Democrat Rep. Bruce Braley of Waterloo. Dubuque businessman Rod Blum and Independence attorney Ben Lange, who came within 2 percentage points of defeating Braley in 2010, are running for the GOP nomination.

Next door in the 2nd District, no one - neither Democrat nor Republican - has filed to challenge Rep. Dave Loebsack, an Iowa City Democrat running for a fourth term. Sen. Joe Seng, D-Davenport, has indicated he may challenge Loebsack for the Democratic nomination.

On the GOP ticket, Dan Dolan of Blue Grass and John Archer, an attorney for John Deere, are seeking the nomination. However, neither has filed his nomination papers.

The deadline for filing for state or federal office is 5 p.m. Friday. For more information on filing, visit the Iowa Secretary of State's website.

U.S. representatives must be at least 21 when sworn in, a citizen for at least seven years and a resident of Iowa at the time of the election.

At the legislative level, the only primary at this point is in House 73, which includes parts of Cedar and Johnson counties where Democrats David Johnson of West Branch and Dick Schwab of Solon are running. The incumbent, Rep. Jeff Kaufmann, R-Wilton, is not seeking re-election.

Iowa senators must be at least 25 when sworn in while representatives must be 21. Legislators must have lived in Iowa for a year and in the district for at least 60 days at the time of the election.

The term for senators is four years and representatives serve two-year terms. Both earn $25,000 a year.

Candidates from non-party political organizations and candidates nominated by petition may file between July 30 and Aug. 17 to be on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Senate 28 – Allamakee, Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton: Republican Michael Breitbach, Strawberry Point, and Democrat John Beard, DecorahHouse 96 – Delaware and Jones: Rep. Lee Hein, R-Monticello

Senate 32 – Fayette, Bremer, Black Hawk and Buchanan: Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington

Senate 38 – Benton, Iowa and Poweshiek: Sen. Tim Kapucian, R-Keystone

Senate 48 – Linn, Buchanan, Jones and Delaware: Rep. Nate Willems, D-Lisbon, and Republican Dan Zumbach

House 55 – Fayette, Clayton and Winneshiek: Rep. Roger Thomas, D-Elkader

House 56 – Allamakee, Winneshiek, Fayette and Clayton: Rep. Bob Hager, R-Dorchester, and Democrat Patti Ruff, McGregor

House 65 -- Linn: Rep. Tyler Olson, D-Cedar Rapids

House 66 – Linn: Democrat Art Staed, Cedar Rapids

House 67 – Linn: Rep. Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha

House 70 – Linn: Rep. Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids

House 73 – Cedar and Johnson: Democrats David Johnson, West Branch, and Dick Schwab, Solon

House 74 – Johnson: Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville

House 77-Johnson: Republican Steve Sherman, North Liberty

House 78 – Keokuk and Washington: Rep. Jarad Klein, R-Keota

House 85 – Johnson: Rep. Vicki Lensing, D-Iowa City

House 86 – Johnson: Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City